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Cover Story :Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria A Rising Concern

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Due to rising cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria and its causes Nigerian Tracker’s Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa takes a look and files in this report

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)–the rate of deaths that occur due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth–is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention.

Research has shown that Nigeria is one of the top three African countries with the highest recorded cases of MMR. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that South Sudan and Chad had the highest MMR rates, with Nigeria ranking third.

The rise in maternal mortality is most prevalent in rural areas of the country. Between 2008 and 2018, states in the Northeastern and Northwestern regions recorded higher numbers compared to those in the Southeastern and Southwestern parts.

Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Health recorded that between 2019 and 2022, out of the 36 states in Nigeria, only 15–16 actively participated in post-natal care. The postpartum period accounts for 27% of maternal mortality cases.

In response, the federal government, through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1), launched the National Strategic Health Development Plan II. By 2030, the plan aims to reduce Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate to no more than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Healthcare is Dead in Rural Areas”—Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha Speaks on Causes of MMR

Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha, a medical doctor at the maternity ward of Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre, highlights the gravity of the situation.

 

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

“Maternal Mortality, as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to the deaths of women due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth—either during delivery or up to 48 days postpartum. In Nigeria, for every 22 women who give birth, one dies. This contrasts sharply with developed countries, where maternal deaths occur only after thousands of births.”*

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Dr. Mustapha attributes Nigeria’s high MMR to multiple factors, with marginalization of rural communities being a significant contributor.

“Access to proper healthcare is nearly impossible for people living in rural areas. As a result, they resort to self-administered healthcare, often performed by untrained individuals pretending to be midwives. This leads to complications, including severe hemorrhaging during childbirth—one of the major causes of maternal death.”

Illegal abortion is another contributing factor.

*”Unwanted pregnancies are rampant in our society. Many young girls under the age of 15 get pregnant, and in an attempt to terminate their pregnancies, they succumb to fatal complications.”

Additionally, hypertensive disorders and pulmonary edema—excessive fluid buildup in the lungs—are serious contributors to maternal deaths.

“Women with severe hypertension, particularly those over the age of 35, face heightened risks. Their cases often result in respiratory failure, leading to mortality.”

“Government Negligence Fuels Illegal Healthcare Practices”—Dr. Mustapha Criticizes Unregulated Hospitals.

When asked about the recent deaths at Afolmi Hospital in Durumi, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha did not hold back.

 

“This tragedy could have been avoided if the government actively enforced policies regulating healthcare facilities. Many illegal hospitals operate without consequences, allowing untrained staff to perform life-threatening procedures. Corruption is a major impediment to effective enforcement.”

On April 27, 2025, reports surfaced that Afolmi Hospital, along with staff member Murtala Jumma, was implicated in the deaths of two women due to childbirth complications. Jumma was reportedly responsible for a failed cesarean section that led to one of the fatalities.

The Path Forward: Experts Urge Government Intervention

According to Dr. Mustapha, improving maternal health in Nigeria requires strategic actions.

“Pregnant women should maintain a healthy diet and attend antenatal appointments regularly to monitor both their health and that of their baby. Family planning is also crucial, as excessive childbirth increases the risk of cervical tears, contributing to maternal mortality.”

 

 

Government intervention is equally vital.

Authorities must ensure that rural communities have access to quality healthcare facilities. In urban areas, medical personnel should receive fair remuneration to discourage them from leaving the country. Unregistered hospitals operating illegally must be shut down, and violators should face severe penalties.”

Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in rural regions where healthcare is virtually non-existent. Without immediate action, the country faces severe economic consequences due to dwindling manpower and reduced contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Regulating abortion, enforcing hospital standards, improving healthcare infrastructure, and retaining medical professionals through better compensation could drastically reduce Nigeria’s MMR rate and safeguard the lives of thousands of women.

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If the PDP does not put its house in order, there will be an alliance,” -Sule Lamido

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The former Governor of Jigawa State and one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has cautioned that unless the party resolves its internal crisis, it risks forming alliances and coalitions that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

Lamido made the statement while receiving Jigawa PDP stakeholders and party leaders at his Kano office, stressing the urgent need for unity and reconciliation.

Lamido recalled that he had earlier given party members an ultimatum to wait until December 9 to determine the fate of the current acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

He disclosed that after consultations with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, several strategies were devised to engage PDP governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in reconciliation talks, which were hosted at Saraki’s residence.

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“We have consulted all of them and asked for cooperation. We are going to sit again. Don’t worry, you are going to vote. There is no party still like the PDP. We should not allow our personal ego to destroy it,” Lamido emphasized. He warned that if reconciliation fails, alliances and coalitions would become inevitable, adding that “if you want to make a name in Nigeria, you should join the PDP.”

Lamido lamented the party’s dwindling influence in Kano State, where it managed only 15,000 votes in the last general elections.

He also criticized the defection of the PDP’s former vice-presidential candidate to the All Progressives Congress. “The rivalry within PDP is only benefitting the APC,” Lamido said, accusing the southwest of rallying behind the APC due to tribal sentiments.

On his part, Alhaji Babandi Gumel, PDP Chairman in Jigawa State, explained that the gathering was part of ongoing reconciliation efforts. He noted that similar meetings had been held in Dutse, following a paper presented by former local government chairmen during Lamido’s tenure as governor. Gumel added that the November 27 meeting in Kano was a continuation of those efforts, aimed at resolving leadership disputes.

“Our leader, Sule Lamido, asked us to wait a little to ensure the national leadership is sorted out. Up till now, there is no substantive chairman. The faction of Turaki is still claiming leadership, while other factions are also laying claims. Even on INEC’s website, it is still Damagum’s name that appears,” Gumel stated.

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The Kano Online Media Chapel congratulates the NUJ awardees

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The Kano Online Media Chapel, under the leadership of Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, has congratulated the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Director-General, Media and Communications to the Kano State Governor, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dan Tiye, on their conferment with Awards of Honour by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.

The awards were presented by the NUJ Kano State Council under the chairmanship of Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding contributions to information management, media development, public communication, and sustained support for journalism practice in Kano State.

In a statement issued on behalf of members of the Chapel, Chairman Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo described the honour as well-deserved, noting that the awardees have, at different times, demonstrated commitment to transparency, media freedom, and effective government–media relations.

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Dangambo particularly commended Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya for his open-door policy and constructive engagement with journalists, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa for strengthening strategic communication and media coordination within the present administration, and Baba Halilu Dan Tiye for his enduring legacy in advancing information dissemination and professionalism in the state.

He added that the recognition by NUJ serves as encouragement to public office holders to continue supporting ethical journalism and creating an enabling environment for media practitioners to discharge their responsibilities to society.

The Kano Online Media Chapel wished the award recipients continued success in their respective roles and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, responsible reporting, and partnership with relevant stakeholders in promoting good governance and public enlightenment in Kano State.

It also Congratulated the leadership of NUJ Kano council for hosting a successful 2025 Press week.

Dangambo also thanked the NUJ national president, comrade Alhassan Yahaya for being present at the opening of Kano online media Chapel office and the NUJ press Week dinner and awards night.

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Arewa Rents Charts a Digital Future for Northern Nigeria’s Property Market”

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Arewarents.com, a property marketplace startup focused on Northern Nigeria, is positioning itself to transform how people rent, buy, and access short-let properties across the region through technology and innovation.

The startup pitched its idea today at the first Kano Startup Weekend, an event organized by the Kano State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). The event brought together startups, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to showcase emerging solutions addressing real market challenges.

At the pitch, Arewa Rents presented its vision of building a centralized digital platform for property rentals, sales, and short-lets, designed specifically for the Northern Nigerian market. According to the Founder of Arewa Rents, Anas Y. Yusuf, the goal is to “create a single trusted platform where people can easily find verified properties without relying on scattered and unreliable sources.”

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Northern Nigeria’s real estate market remains largely informal, with property listings scattered across social media, local agents, and offline networks. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies, limits visibility for property owners and agents, and makes it difficult for renters and buyers to access verified properties in one trusted place.

Addressing this gap, Anas Y. Yusuf noted that Arewa Rents is “leveraging technology to bring structure, transparency, and trust into the property market, while making it easier for agents and landlords to reach serious clients.”

Arewa Rents is developing a technology-driven property marketplace that aggregates verified listings for homes, apartments, shops, and short-stay properties. The platform is designed to connect renters, buyers, agents, developers, and landlords more efficiently, while improving transparency in property transactions.

As the startup continues to build and scale its platform, Anas Y. Yusuf emphasized that the long-term mission is “to make property renting, buying, and short-let access in Northern Nigeria more efficient and accessible through a trusted digital marketplace.”

With its regional focus and marketplace-driven approach, Arewa Rents is emerging as a startup positioned to play a key role in the digital transformation of Northern Nigeria’s real estate sector.

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